Tower Hamlets is committed to ensuring that of those children unable to live at home, as many as possible are cared within their own community and/or family. The Children Act 1989 encourages placement of that child with a person connected with that child: a family member or relative, or ‘other suitable person’ unless ‘it would be reasonably impracticable or inconsistent with his/her welfare’ [s23 (6)]. These carers are often referred to as Family and Friends Carers.
Who are family and friends carers?
When their parents or their primary carer cannot look after children, they are placed with a member of the family or a friend. A friend can be someone who is known to the family or a friend of the young person. Whether a friend or family member can look after a child would depend on the age, relationship and circumstances of the potential carer. There are lots of different options that family and friends carers can consider when looking after a child and the Recruitment and Assessment Team are available to provide this information in more detail.
The Special Guardianship Order (SGO)
From December 2005, a new type of legal order has been made by the government called a Special Guardianship Order. The aim of this order is to help ensure that children who cannot live with their birth parents are able to have a permanent home and that those caring for them have the legal security to make decisions for them. These orders are appropriate for relatives wanting to care for a child within their family but where they feel they need legal parental responsibility to do this. The Special Guardianship Order provides a firm foundation for a lifelong permanent relationship between the child and their carer.
